Facsimile apparatus

Abstract

A facsimile apparatus capable of saving time necessary for the transmission of video data. Pixel signals provided by scanning a document in both the lengthwise and widthwise directions are digitized, then encoded, and then stored in independent buffer memories. One of the buffer memories storing a smaller amount of video data than the other is chosen to transmit its video data to a remote station over a line.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A facsimile apparatus comprising: video signal selector means for sequentially selecting, with respect to at least two different directions on a document, video signals produced by scanning said document and digitizing the signals produced thereby;   encoder means for encoding the digitized video signals output from said video signal selector means;   at least two buffer memory means for individually storing the encoded signals output from said encoder means while holding the encoded signals each in correspondence with one of the different directions;   decision means for producing a decision signal by determining which one of the buffer memory means stores the smallest number of encoded signals;   memory selector means for selecting one of the buffer memory means in response to the decision signal output from said decision means and delivering the video data stored in said selected buffer memory means; and   a communication control unit for informing a facsimile apparatus at a remote station of a particular direction with which the video signals are associated before transmitting the video data which are output from said memory selector means.   
     
     
       2. A facsimile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two directions on the document comprise a lengthwise direction and a widthwise direction of the document. 
     
     
       3. A facsimile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the video signal selector means comprises scanning means for scanning images on the document in the two directions to produce the individual video signals, switch means for sequentially and selectively switching the pixel signals, and digitizer means for digitizing the pixel signals from the selector means. 
     
     
       4. A facsimile apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising scanning means control means for drivably controlling the scanning means, and scanning direction changeover control section for switchingly controlling the switch means and controlling said scanning means control means. 
     
     
       5. A facsimile apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the video signal selector means comprises scanning means for scanning images on the document in one of the two directions to produce the pixel signal, digitizer means for digitizing the pixel signal from said scanning means, memory means for storing the digitized signal output from said digitizer means and provided with two read sections which are associated each with one of the two directions, and switch means for sequentially and selectively switching said read portions. 
     
     
       6. A facsimile apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising changeover control means for controlling reading of the digital signals out of the read sections and switchingly controlling the switch means.